Outstanding communications entries from throughout the United States have won honors in the 2024 National Communications Contest sponsored by the National Federation of Press Women.

The Illinois Woman’s Press Association is proud to announce the results of those from our affiliate that captured national awards this past weekend.

The winners include:

Tracy Ahrens, Illinois

  • 3rd Place — Writing > Creative Verse > Single poem for “Pathways of the prints”
  • 3rd Place — Single Photograph > General photo for “Fireworks”

Jennifer Billock, Illinois

  • 2nd Place — Specialty Articles > Travel for “Embrace the Travel Age”

Lynne Conner, Illinois

  • Honorable Mention — Specialty Articles > Hobby for “Local genealogy ‘detective’ works to solve cases of missing family history”
  • 2nd Place — Specialty Articles > Style for “Fashion with a mission drives business and fundraising event”

Michelle Cox, Illinois

  • Honorable Mention — Writing > Fiction for Adult Readers > Novels for “A Haunting at Linley, A Henrietta and Inspector Howard novel”

Suzanne Hanney, Illinois

  • Honorable Mention — Personality Profile > More than 750 words for “Raptivist’: The Third”
  • 3rd Place — Web and Social Media > Podcast for “Where I Stay: Ep. 1 The Mayor of Both Bridges”
  • 2nd Place — Publication Regularly Edited by Entrant > Magazine/Magapaper for “Simply the best: paying tribute to Tina Turner”

Alexandria Jacobson, Illinois

    • 1st Place — Continuing Coverage or Unfolding News for “Lawmakers, Law Breakers”
    • 1st Place — In-depth Reporting for “Losing Track”
    • 1st Place — Specialty Articles > Education for “‘Too preposterous to be real’: College hires ‘pink slime’ publisher as journalism prof”

Janis Johnston, Illinois

    • Honorable Mention — Blog > Nonprofit, government or educational for “Banned Pearls”
    • 1st Place — Writing > Nonfiction Book for Adult Readers > General Nonfiction for “Transforming Retirement: Rewire and Grow Your Legacy

Janice Renee Newman, Illinois

    • Honorable Mention — Columns > Informational for “Y? Why Not! Forgive Others to Free Yourself”
    • Honorable Mention — Special Programming >  Television for “Y? Why Not! Women in Business”
    • Honorable Mention — Interview >  Television for “Y? Why Not! Show – Topic: Women In Journalism with Marlene Cook, journalist”
    • 3rd Place — Talk Show >  Television for “Y? Why Not! Topic: Dealing with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) with guest Brandon Wyle”

Ronit Rose, Illinois

    • 1st Place — Specialty Articles > Green/environmental for “Recycling is Complicated and Controversial”

Carrie Steinweg, Illinois

    • Honorable Mention — News Story > Online publication for “”This Place Feels Like Home” – J.J. Kelley’s Celebrates 35 Years”
    • Honorable Mention — Feature Story > Online publication for “A Christmas Story Comes Home for 40th Anniversary of Movie”

Judi Strauss-Lipkin, Illinois

    • 2nd Place — Specialty Articles > Government or politics for “PILSEN VOWS TO HANG ONTO COMMUNITY”

Erin Sullivan, Illinois

    • 2nd Place — Page Design > Magazine or magapaper for “The Caregiver’s Journey”

Mary Wagner, Illinois

    • 1st Place — Blog > Personal for “The Rescue”

Michele Weldon, Illinois

    • Honorable Mention — Specialty Articles > Personal essay for “Why I’ve Decided Not To celebrate Holidays This Year”
    • Honorable Mention — Speech for “”Truth Is A Dare: The Power of Claiming Your Story””